Larry Max “Tiny” Stockton, Jr., age 58, of Cassville, Missouri passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at CoxHealth Medical Center South in Springfield, Missouri.

He was born April 24, 1967, in Monett, Missouri the son of Larry Max Stockton, Sr. and Judy Kay (Mahurin) Stockton. On December 17, 1999, in Springfield, Missouri he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Cheryl Durden, who survives.

Also surviving are his son, Seth Stockton of Cassville, Missouri; daughters, Lauren Stockton of Cassville, Missouri, and Sara Stockton of Cassville, Missouri; brothers, Jeff Stockton and wife, Robin of Cassville, Missouri, Brian Stockton and wife Terra of Cato, Missouri and Jarod Stockton and wife April of Monett, Missouri and sister Becky Privett and husband Jeremy of Seligman, Missouri. Preceding him in death were his parents.

Larry grew up and attended school in Cassville, Missouri, graduating in 1985 from Cassville High School. He enjoyed playing on the football team; they called him “Larry Dawg.” When playing Mighty Mite Football, some teams refused to play them because he was so big, and he had accidentally broken someone’s arm during a game or practice. Larry enjoyed being part of FFA; he was the Sentinel. After graduating, he attended Missouri State Southern University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and also earned an associate degree in business from Crowder College. Larry was employed by the Barry County Sheriff’s Department for 20 years and had several jobs: civil processor, bailiff, court security, road officer, and transport officer, but his favorite was when school was in session and he was the D.A.R.E. officer for Exeter, Purdy, Shell Knob, Southwest, and Wheaton. He truly wanted kids to make good choices and stay drug-free and not go down that self-destructive road. He also worked at Silver Dollar City for 27 years and had multiple jobs within the Attractions Division, SLED HILL, the first year they had Country Christmas, where Silver Dollar City had this great idea to put snow, and then of course with the temperature would sometimes cause it to thaw and then re-freeze, so instead of being sled hill it was ICE HILL…. He was the lead of The American Plunge and the iconic Fire in the Hole. Larry also worked in the parking lot and in the animal area. Whatever was needed Larry would make sure it was done, he was there to do it or help. He was also a Safety Specialist who oversaw Safety Operations on the rides daily. His favorite job was working on the train and being a robber on the weekends.

In his spare time, Larry enjoyed fishing, hunting, stargazing, playing games, and watching cooking shows, but his children were the light of his life, and he cherished every moment spent with them.

Larry faced numerous health challenges throughout his life, which included heart problems that ultimately led to his passing from a heart attack. He was a diabetic and had Kidney Cancer in 2009. He had his right kidney removed and did really great for about ten years, then his kidney started failing and he had to go on dialysis. When Larry was younger, he was told to drink water, so he did. He was a really good water drinker, but when the kidney started failing, his drinking anything was a strict 38-oz limit, which he tried very hard to observe, which was difficult because he was always so thirsty. When they started doing dialysis at home it became a part-time job. When going to the cardiologists, they would say it was the kidney causing problems making him feel bad, but when he went to the Nephrologists, they would say the heart was causing him problems.

He and Cheryl enjoyed spending time with friends and traveling when they could. They most recently went to the Grand Canyon in May and wished they could have stayed longer. He enjoyed going to Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, and loved going to Fort Leonard Wood to visit their son last year when a pass was given on Sundays. Larry’s presence and spirit will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. He was a member of First Baptist Church.

Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, September, 13, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Reverend James Lafferty will conduct the services.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Friday at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

The family wishes to thank all the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who cared for Larry and them. They also thank their family and friends for stopping by and checking on them.

PAID OBITUARY